The difference between these two opposing views forms the heart of a crisis in the United States right now.

The common liberal view of human nature is that it is fundamentally good and should be given room to flourish. The biblical and realist view is that it is fundamentally evil and must be conscientiously governed.

Thankfully, America’s Founders took the latter view. As a result, the system of government they created has stood for over two centuries and done much to guarantee the nation’s success.

They realized that government is necessary in order to check the evils of human nature in society. They also recognized—having fought and bled in order to free themselves from a tyrant—that firm limits on power are needed in order to check the evils of human nature within the government.

. . . .

In the Constitution, the American Founders established a system that successfully governs the government.

"Just as 'good fences make for good neighbors,' good government is mainly about knowing where the legitimate boundaries are, and having the courage to defend those borders forcefully. This is true in terms of the defense of our territory, our security, and our national sovereignty, of course, but it also applies to the imperative duty all of those in government have to equally protect the God-given, unalienable rights of each individual person, their sacred obligation to stay well within the Enumerated Powers of our Constitution, and of the role government must play in balancing the competing rights and interests of the American people."

"If we move in mass, be it ever so circuitously, we shall attain our object; but if we break into squads, everyone pursuing the path he thinks most direct, we become an easy conquest to those who can now barely hold us in check."

He was unanimously chosen as the Army's Commander-in-Chief, unanimously chosen as President of the Constitutional Convention, and unanimously chosen as the first U.S. President.

After having the Declaration of Independence read to his troops, General Washington ordered chaplains placed in each regiment, stating:

"The General hopes and trusts, that every officer and man, will endeavour so to live, and act, as becomes a Christian Soldier, defending the dearest Rights and Liberties of his country."

General Washington stated at Valley Forge, May 2, 1778:

"To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest Glory to laud the more distinguished Character of Christian."

To the Delaware Indian Chiefs who brought three youths to be trained in American schools, General Washington stated, May 12, 1779:

"You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ."

As recorded in The Writings of George Washington (March 10, 1778, 11:83-84, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1934), record George Washington's order:

"At a General Court Marshall whereof Colo. Tupper was President...Lieutt. Enslin of Colo. Malcom's Regiment tried for attempting to commit sodomy, with John Monhort a soldier;

Secondly, For Perjury in swearing to false Accounts, found guilty of the charges exhibited against him, being breaches of 5th. Article 18th Section of the Articles of War and do sentence him to be dismiss'd the service with Infamy.

His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief approves the sentence and with Abhorrence and Detestation of such Infamous Crimes orders Liett. Enslin to be drummed out of Camp tomorrow morning by all the Drummers and Fifers in the Army never to return."

In his Farewell Address, 1796, Washington stated:

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports.

In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great Pillars of human happiness."

Des Moines, IA – This morning, America's Party presidential nominee Tom Hoefling announced the formation of a National Citizen Constitutional Review Board (nccrb.com) to examine the constitutionality of every facet of American public policy.

In a written statement, Hoefling laid out his vision for this citizen-led effort:

"It has become clear to all sensible Americans that the federal government has grown far outside the limits of the Enumerated Powers spelled out in our Constitution, and it has become equally clear that the leaders of the Democratic and Republican parties have no intention of doing anything about it. How can you trust those who created the problem to fix it?

"When discussions were taking place about the choice of my running mate, J.D. Ellis of Tennessee, I made it clear to everyone involved that one of the primary functions of my choice for Vice-President throughout the campaign will be to facilitate a thorough, organized citizen review of every current program, agency and activity of our existing federal government. And, if we are elected, to take the lead in helping enforce the judgment and the will of the American people on Washington. I'm sick and tired of politicians who pass the buck on constitutionality, and judges who think they are a law unto themselves.

"That's why I have chosen my friend J.D. Ellis to be the first NCCRB Chairman. He understands clearly that the people themselves are the only ones who can possibly reestablish our political plumb line of principle.

"As the 2012 America's Party nominees for President and Vice-President, J.D. and I are seeking one million patriotic, principled, committed Americans -- men and women who understand the critical need for an immediate return to the principles of our nation's founding -- and the absolute need to put this massive federal beast back within the boundaries of the Tenth Amendment.

"Together, let us strive to restore America’s moral, economic, and physical strength, in order to fulfill the ultimate stated purpose of our Constitution: ‘to secure the Blessings of Liberty to our Posterity.’

"We have an obligation to our children and grandchildren to take back our political system from the money and media interests, and to put the power back in the hands of We the People.

"Please sign up now at NCCRB.com (or tomhoefling.com) if you would like to participate in this critically important Citizen's Review process. You will receive regular email updates and additional information on what you can do from your own front porch to help put America back on its proper foundations and return us to principled, constitutional government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

The America’s Party national convention also ratified its 2012 platform, adding additional private property rights language, and replacing its old pro-life language with the full text of the “Equal Protection for Posterity Resolution.”

America’s Party is being built by Reagan pro-life, pro-family, “peace through strength” conservatives who believe that the Republican Party has abandoned the principles of Ronald Reagan -- particularly the Reagan pro-life platform plank which recognizes the personhood of the unborn and their protection by the Fourteenth Amendment.

“As the 2012 America's Party nominees for President and Vice-President, we are currently seeking one million patriotic, principled, committed Americans -- men and women who understand the critical need for an immediate return to the principles of our nation's founding.

Together, let us strive to restore America’s moral, economic, and physical strength, in order to fulfill the ultimate stated purpose of our Constitution: ‘to secure the Blessings of Liberty to our Posterity.’

We have an obligation to our children and grandchildren to take back our political system from the money and media interests, and to put the power back in the hands of We the People.

Please sign up now at tomhoefling.com for regular email updates and additional information on what you can do from your own front porch to help put America back on its proper foundations, and return us to principled, constitutional government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

Tom Hoefling on Government:"Just as 'good fences make for good neighbors,' good government is mainly about knowing where the legitimate boundaries are, and having the courage to defend those borders forcefully. This is true in terms of the defense of our territory, our security, and our national sovereignty, but it also applies to the sworn duty of all of those in government to equally protect the God-given, unalienable rights of each individual person, from their creation onwards, their sacred obligation to stay well within the enumerated powers of our constitutions, and of the role legitimate government must play in balancing the competing rights and interests of the people, in order to establish justice."